Shadow stared with horror and terror at Sonic's crippled and brutally injured body. His body quaked, and he could barely steady his hands. His mouth was agape, and his heart hammered. He tried to convince himself that what he was seeing wasn't real. He wanted to believe he was dreaming.

But the details of Sonic injury were as clear as glass. The top of his head had a large wound that resembled a crack. Dark, crimson blood escaped from it, and trickled down Sonic's left eyelid. It dripped off towards the edge of his chin, staining the tan skin there. A patch of fur on his right cheek was missing, exposing pink, inflamed skin. Scorch marks and soot were painted on his quills and the tips of his ears, as though it was a genetic design. A thin trail of blood seeped through both corners of his slightly opened mouth, and he had a long, redden cut on his neck.

But his face wasn't even the worst of it.

His body appeared crippled and gored. Every single part of the poor hedgehog's body was covered in a scrap, scar, cut, or open wound. His sandy-colored chest had a big puncture wound, where his blood spilled and poured. His body was caked with dead leaves, dirt, and mud, but Sonic's fatal scent dominated over, and overwhelmed Shadow's nostrils. What was once masked by the smoke, now had Shadow feeling like he was drowning in it.

He gasped, feeling panicked and dreadful. He grabbed him by his shoulders, and shook him.

"Sonic! Sonic what happened to you?!" He cried. "Who did this to you?! How did this happened???"

Sonic's unconscious body gave no response. He laid limply on Shadow's knees, while his head was supported by Shadow's arm.

Shadow shook his head, feeling tears swell into his eyes.

"No…not like this…" He whimpered.

His ears faltered to his skull as he held Sonic close to him. He prayed for a sign that he was alive, and that it wasn't too late. He flushed his body against him, waiting. The world around them froze, as if listening too. Shadow concentrated, closing his eyes until he felt it..

It was soft, but he could feel a small stream of his breath, along with a slow heartbeat. His presence filled the wind, notifying Shadow that Sonic was still here with him.

It was all he needed.

Without hesitation, Shadow lifted up Sonic, and settled him on his back. His bloodied head rested on the side of his shoulder while his arms loosely hung by Shadow's sides. He hooked his arms through Sonic's inner thighs, wrapping them snugly around his waist. Sonic's body laid easily on Shadow's back. Shadow checked to make sure he was in a stable position, then pushed forward.

"Hang it in there..Sonic." He whispered.

It took a while, but Shadow's adrenaline had finally worn off. It was replaced with fatigue as he trekked through the cityscapes. Most of his energy had been wasted in Nature's Prison. He felt like he was in that forest for hours, constantly blaming himself for not being there for Sonic and for taking so long to get him to a hospital.

He moved as fast as his exhausted muscles would take him. He continuously checked on Sonic, making sure he was still breathing and double checking with the faint feel of his heartbeat. He was still holding in there; that's good.

He knew he didn't have forever, however. He needed to hurry. Pushing himself harder, Shadow began to break into a run. His shoes pattered against the stoney concrete of the sidewalk as he passed light pole after light pole, and store after store.

There weren't as many humans around as normal. Shadow took notice of this. This particular city was a nightlife. The chaotic, loud atmosphere was filled with parties and bars that didn't close until morning. Usually, drunken people were out, stumbling their way into taxis, while couples took a stroll in the midnight alley.

Shadow hated it; this town was the main reason why he picked a home so far away from humanity.

However, tonight was the opposite of what Shadow had been expecting. The city shunned and slept, turning the town into a single void. Bars were closed and abandoned, along with stores. No pedestrians wandered the streets, and there was no noise.

Shadow shrugged it off, seeing it as a blessing rather than a reason for suspicion.

Shadow suddenly noticed an old diner, and the memories came flooding back. It marked as an guide. The hospital he knew of should be close. He was almost there.

Shadow continued to take more unsteadied steps, finding it harder and harder to stay awake as time passed. The cold made him dreary, and every fiber in him screamed and begged for sleep. But every time he looked back at Sonic, he felt a renewed sense, and it aided him.

Soon, Shadow could finally see the bright, warming lights of a certain building. He sighed with relief. He sprinted forward, keeping a tight hold on Sonic.

Right as Shadow neared the Hospital, he felt the last of his strength disappear. His legs went weak, for they could no longer support the weight of two bodies.

He fell on the side of the concrete with a loud thump, and Sonic fell to the side of him.

He was so close… He had to get up. He was right there.

He attempted to pull himself together and make the last few remaining steps, but his body no longer responded. His bones and aching tendons cursed him; his strength slipped through his fingertips like sand.

Dammit.

He felt so weak, and so pathetic. Here he was, sprawled onto the cold hard ground. He was Sonic's last hope, and he failed right at the very end. He didn't make it.

He could see the lights of the hospital fading in and out. The world around him once bright, then dark. He blinked slowly, and his breath slowed.

With rheumy eyes, Shadow glanced at Sonic, who laid motionless beside him. He reached out to him, but fell short. His gloved hand fell just a few inches away from his body.

The world faded completely; the darkness closed in. Shadow's breath grew slower and fainter, and his eyes began to shut. The last thing he remembered, was seeing his body, and his blood dripping onto the ground beneath them.

"I'm sorry Sonic…

I'm sorry."